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Clubman 8
Designer: Adrian Keough/Scott Jutson  ·  Builder: Austral Yachts (Au)  ·  First built: 1992
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About the Clubman 8

Designed by the collaborative team of Adrian Keough and Scott Jutson, this compact Australian cruiser emerged from Austral Yachts in 1992 as a thoughtfully engineered coastal sailing solution. The fractional sloop rig and fiberglass construction create a manageable platform for weekend adventures and short-range cruising. The Clubman 8's most distinctive feature is its lifting keel configuration, which transforms this 26-footer from a deep-draft sailing yacht into a versatile shallow-water explorer. With the keel retracted, sailors can access beaches, shallow anchorages, and launching ramps that would be off-limits to traditional fixed-keel boats of similar size. This flexibility makes it particularly appealing for gunkholing and exploring protected waters. At 2,645 pounds with nearly 1,000 pounds of ballast, the boat strikes a reasonable balance between stability and trailer-ability. The sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 28.85 suggests spirited performance in moderate conditions, while the comfort ratio of 9.9 indicates a motion more suited to day sailing than extended offshore passages. The 8-horsepower auxiliary engine provides adequate power for maneuvering in tight quarters or powering through calms. This design represents practical Australian yacht building—prioritizing versatility and accessibility over pure performance, making it an intriguing option for sailors seeking coastal adventure with launching flexibility.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 26.74 ft / 8.15 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 25.25 ft / 7.70 m
Beam 8.04 ft / 2.45 m
Max Draft 6.00 ft / 1.83 m
Min Draft 0.75 ft / 0.23 m
Displacement 2,645.55 lb / 1,200 kg
Ballast 992.00 lb / 450 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 344.00 ft² / 31.96 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Lifting Keel
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Adrian Keough/Scott Jutson
Builder Austral Yachts (AU)
First Built 1992
Related Sailboats ["Niagara 26" · "Cal 2 27" · "Ericson 27" · "Tanzer 27" · "Cal 3 27"]
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Performance Ratios
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
 28.85
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
 37.5
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
 73.36
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
 9.9
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
 2.33
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 6.73 kn
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 725.38 pounds/inch
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Evinrude
Engine Type Outboard well
Horsepower 8
How It Compares

vs. Cal 2 27, Ericson 27, Tanzer 27

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Clubman 8 ★
26.7 ft
Cal 2 27
26.6 ft
Ericson 27
26.8 ft
Tanzer 27
26.6 ft
LWL
Clubman 8 ★
25.3 ft
Cal 2 27
22.1 ft
Ericson 27
20.5 ft
Tanzer 27
22.5 ft
Beam
Clubman 8 ★
8.0 ft
Cal 2 27
9.3 ft
Ericson 27
9.0 ft
Tanzer 27
9.5 ft
Displacement
Clubman 8 ★
2 lbs
Cal 2 27
6 lbs
Ericson 27
6 lbs
Tanzer 27
6 lbs
Ballast
Clubman 8 ★
992 lbs
Cal 2 27
3 lbs
Ericson 27
2 lbs
Tanzer 27
2 lbs
Sail Area
Clubman 8 ★
344 sq ft
Cal 2 27
374 sq ft
Ericson 27
323 sq ft
Tanzer 27
—
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Clubman 8 ★
—
Cal 2 27
—
Ericson 27
207 s/nm
Tanzer 27
216 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Clubman 8 ★
28.9
Cal 2 27
16.9
Ericson 27
14.7
Tanzer 27
—
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Clubman 8 ★
37.5 %
Cal 2 27
—
Ericson 27
43.9 %
Tanzer 27
36.3 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Clubman 8 ★
9.9
Cal 2 27
22.8
Ericson 27
24.4
Tanzer 27
—
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Clubman 8 ★
2.33
Cal 2 27
1.97
Ericson 27
1.92
Tanzer 27
—
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Clubman 8 ★
73
Cal 2 27
—
Ericson 27
342
Tanzer 27
242
Hull Speed
Clubman 8 ★
6.7 kts
Cal 2 27
6.3 kts
Ericson 27
6.1 kts
Tanzer 27
—
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Clubman 8 ★
—
Cal 2 27
1.9
Ericson 27
1.3
Tanzer 27
—
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